A spokesperson for Diagnostic Services Manitoba (DSM) says the wait time for a CT Scan in this region is amongst the lowest in the province.

The latest statistics from Manitoba Health show the wait for an Ultrasound exam at Bethesda Regional Health Centre is three weeks, where 10 is the Manitoba average. Out of 25 sites that offer Ultrasound exams, only Swan Valley Health Centre (zero weeks) and Roblin District Health Centre (one week) have shorter wait times than Steinbach.

The wait for a CT Scan in Steinbach is two weeks, where five is the Manitoba average. Out of 16 sites that offer CT Scans, only Dauphin Regional Health Centre (one week) and Portage District Health General Hospital (one week) have shorter wait times than Steinbach.

"Ultrasound is a growing service demand across the province, there is increasing need everywhere from the urban centres to the rural centres," notes Paul Penner, Chief Operating Officer for DSM. "Unfortunately it's also one of the most difficult technologists to recruit for."

Penner says there are shortages across the country but he credits Manitoba Health for working with Red River College to increase the number of technologists graduating each year.

"I'm very confident that we're going to be dealing with greater recruitment numbers and improvement in the wait times in Ultrasound and that will be a province wide impact," he says.

Penner says he expects to have the problem dealt with in the next year or two. He notes there are always open slots available for emergency cases.

As for CT Scans, Penner says there have been a number of initiatives across the province in recent years that have helped speed up wait times. This includes expanded staffing and expanded hours of operation.

"I think it's definitely going in the right direction," notes Penner, when asked to comment on wait times in this region. "We're reviewing it on a very regular basis. We work very closely with the radiologists and the regional health authorities to make sure we're delivering services to the degree they're needed and where they are needed. So I really think we're on the right track."

Penner notes it is great that Manitoba Health releases wait times to the public, noting that way a patient can pursue their procedure at a different hospital if the lineup is shorter there and they don't mind the extra drive.